200 more vaccines in the county this week

From Jan. 31-Feb. 7, Madison County reported 16 new positive coronavirus cases. In the past seven days, 122 residents were quarantined.

The majority of the 122 quarantined could be tied back to eight people, Madison County Public Health Nurse Melissa Brummell said.

No new deaths have been reported and two individuals are currently hospitalized due to COVID-19 complications.

This week, Madison County will receive 200 coronavirus vaccinations, 100 for each vaccine distribution center—Madison Valley Medical Center and Ruby Valley Medical Center (RVMC).

When looking at the vaccination quantity, second doses are not included in the totals.

“Once you get your first dose, your second dose is automatically allocated to come in (approximately) three weeks, and it’s not accounted in any of these numbers,” Brummell explained. Second doses are shipped on a different day than first doses, which allows facilities to keep the two separated.

The second vaccination is made up of the exact same components as the first, just given in a different time frame. Brummell described it as a ‘booster dose.’

As of Monday morning, the Governor’s Coronavirus Task Force Map reported 859 total COVID-19 vaccines administered in Madison County—678 first doses, 181 fully immunized. The county reports 115.2 doses per 1,000 people.

On Saturday, RVMC conducted a community vaccination clinic and over four hours, 115 vaccines were administered.

Those vaccinated during this first clinic included individuals with significant risk factors— diagnosis or age. RVMC will continue to work off the waitlist as vaccines are received and community members in Phase 1B who have not contacted the hospital are invited to call 406- 842-5453, option 0 to get on the waitlist.

Brummell mentioned that counties presented as dark green on the map, with high vaccination concentrations, are likely due to additional vaccines received from the federal government for reservation populations.